Macular degeneration is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults over 50, and it’s something that everyone should be aware of as they grow older. The symptoms are subtle at first, but if you understand how the disease works, you may be able to seek help before it becomes a major problem.
What is Macular Degeneration?
The macula is a part of the retina, at the back of the eye where light focuses. The macula processes vision which is directly ahead of the viewer. So, if the macula begins to degrade, it causes a steady loss of front eyesight.
Macular degeneration is typically a progressive disease, which moves through three main stages. However, it does not always progress, so sometimes it stops before vision is affected too badly.
The Three Stages of Macular Degeneration
1 – Early
At first, damage to the macula is so subtle that it causes no major problems, with few or no symptoms.
However, it can be detected by an optometrist during an eye exam, even in early stages. This is one of many reasons it’s important to schedule regular eye exams, at least once a year. There are numerous eye disorders that can be caught early, if seen by a professional.
2 – Intermediate
Once the degeneration enters its intermediate phase, patients will start to notice vision problems. They might be minor at first, or easily overlooked as part of ‘normal’ eyesight loss with age.
At this stage, your central vision will start to get a little blurry, but your peripheral vision will still be fine. You may also start having issues seeing in low light. An eye doctor can still potentially intervene and help save your eyesight, at this stage.
3 – Advanced
Advanced degeneration means that so much damage has been done that some eyesight loss has become permanent. Center vision becomes extremely blurry, and you may lose most or all night vision. In the worst cases, it becomes “wet” macular degeneration, meaning that blood vessels have begun to burst in the retina, affecting vision further.
In most cases, the damage done cannot be fixed. An optometrist could only help you manage the disease, and help prevent further loss of eyesight.
So, again, it’s vitally important to keep seeing your optometrist as you age! The earlier eye disorders are caught, the better your chances are of preserving your vision. If it’s been more than a year since your last eue exam, contact Valley Eyecare Center for an appointment!
